It's a new month, but April 1 also means a raft of new legislations will be coming into force.

The laws will have a big impact, with drivers, employees and renters all facing big changes.

Some laws - such as drone safety tests and Universal Credit - will come into effect later on in the month.

Our colleagues at Birmingham Live rounded up the new laws you need to know in April 2018.

New car tax rates

Car tax is changing (Image: Getty)

From today, the way car tax is calculated will change - and for the first time - it will be based on CO2 emissions.

According to gov.uk, for the first year drivers will pay a rate based on the car's CO2 emissions, from the time it was registered.

The change doesn’t affect any vehicle registered before 1 April 2017.

After the first year, the amount of tax that needs to be paid depends on the type of vehicle. The rates are:

£140 a year for petrol or diesel vehicles

130 a year for alternative fuel vehicles (hybrids, bioethanol and LPG)

£0 a year for vehicles with zero CO2 emissions

Autoexpress.co.uk says: "If you're buying a new car, then you will pay road tax based on the current system that was introduced on 1 April 2017.

"First-year road tax is based on emissions, while there's a flat rate of road tax for subsequent years.

"The first-year rate is included in a new car's on-the-road price, and is of more concern to the manufacturer than the buyer. However, the second-year rate is what you'll pay after 12 months of owning the car.

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National pay rise

Employees can expect a pay rise from today, as the government begins to implement the recommended increases in the National Living Wage.

For people aged 25, and over, the rate will increase from £7.50 to £7.83. Workers aged between 21-24 will see pay rise from £7.05 to £7.38.

Wages will also rise from £5.60 to £5.90 for 18-20 year olds, from £4.05 to £4.20 for 16-17 year olds and from £3.50 to £3.70 for apprentices under the age of 19 - or for those in their first year.

Lower heating bills for renters

Landlords will be fined if they don't meet the new requirements (Image: Getty)

All privately-owned properties must have a minimum energy performance rating of 'E', from today. It means landlords must make improvements to homes - by upgrading insulation or heating systems for example - as this will make them cheaper to heat.

The government has said it will be unlawful to rent out a property which breaches this minimum rating, and a civil penalty of £4,000 will be imposed for landlords who let their homes fall below the minimum standard.

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Gender pay gap reveal

By April 4, private and public bodies must publish the difference between what their male and female employers earn.

Many business have already published theirs, ahead of the deadline.

All companies with more than 250 members of staff must publish the difference between the median hourly pay rate of men and women.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has said it will begin enforcement action on April 9, for businesses which fail to comply. This could lead to legal action and an "unlimited fine" set by the courts.

Speaking to the BBC, Rebecca Hilsenrath, chief executive of the EHRC, said: "The clock is ticking and with just 10 days to go, those who haven't reported really are entering the last chance saloon."

Universal Credit

Are you ready for Universal Credit? (Image: PA)

Universal Credit is being introduced in stages throughout the UK.

It is a monthly payment that will replace Jobseeker's Allowance and other work-related benefits. Universal Credit will replace the following six benefits, according to gov.co.uk:

Child Tax Credit

Housing Benefit

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Working Tax Credit

If you currently receive any of these benefits, you can’t claim Universal Credit at the same time, according to gov.co.uk

You don’t need to do anythingntil you hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving - unless you have a change in circumstances.